What are the classic signs of cyanotic heart disease in infants?

The classic signs of cyanotic heart disease in infants include cyanosis, difficulty feeding, and lethargy, which are key indicators due to the underlying pathology of this condition.

Cyanosis, or a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, occurs when there is a significant level of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood. This signifies that the infant is not receiving enough oxygen, which is a hallmark of various congenital heart defects that cause right-to-left shunting of blood.

Difficulty feeding is often observed because infants with cyanotic heart disease may tire quickly while nursing or bottle-feeding. This fatigue occurs due to the additional work of breathing that these infants face as their bodies struggle to maintain adequate oxygen levels.

Lethargy is also a common sign, as inadequate blood oxygenation can affect their overall energy levels and irritability. Infants with decreased oxygen levels may appear more fatigued and less responsive than their peers.

The other options include signs that do not specifically relate to cyanotic heart disease. For instance, high fever and coughing are more indicative of infections rather than congenital heart defects, while symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling can be seen in a variety of respiratory or cardiac conditions, not specifically tied to cyan